Mechanism for operating bulkhead-doors.



No. 797,987. PATBNTED AUG. 22, 1905.

'.D. W. TAYLOR.

MBGHANISM POR OPERATING BULKHEAD DORS.-

APPLICATION FILED SBPT.'9, 1904..

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1` No. 797,987. l PATBNTED AUG. 22, 1905. D. W. TAYLOR.

MECHANISMFOR OPERATING BULKHEAD DOORS. APPLIQATION FILED SEPT. 9. 1904.

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UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

DAVID IV. TAYLOR, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

NIECHANISIVI FOR OPERATING BULKHEAD-DOORS.

Original application filed March 21,1904, Serial No. 199,267.

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Be itknown that I, DAVID W. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of IVashingtOn, District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Operating Bulkhead-Doors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of'reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to bulkhead-doors, being a division of my application, Serial No. 199,267, filed March 2l, 1904; and it consists of a fixed member or frame and a movable member or door with wedging-surfaces on one of the members and adjustable studs or pins on the other member to cooperate to wedge the members together and means to operate the movable member and to jog it into and from its seat,'together with details of construction to be hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring' to the drawings, in which like parts are similarly designated, Figure l is an elevation of so much of the entire structure as will enable an understanding of the operation. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the doorframe and operating mechanism shown in Fig. I. Fig. 3 is a horizontal and Fig. 4 a vertical section showing the wedge-flange on the movable member and one of a number of contacting screw-studs on the iixed member, the spherical end of the screw engaging the surface of the wedge. Figs. 5 and 6 aresimilar views showing the contact-screws on the movable member. Fig. 7 is a section of an idle-motion device, and Figs. 8, 9, and l0 are details of idle-motion devices.

The fixed member or frame is indicated at 20, provided with the usual groove 21, in which travels the movable member or door 22, that has near its edges a continuous or discontinuous wedge 23. The fixed member or frame is provided with lugs 24, that project over the wedge 23, that is shown in Fig. I as a substantially continuous fiange around the edge of the door.

In each lug 24 is an adjustable contact device or stud, here shown as screw studs or bolts 25, that screw through the lugs and are provided with a lock-nut 26. Figs. 1, 3, and

4 show these studs or bolts screwed through Specification of Letters Patent.

Divided and this application filed 'jeptember 9,1904. Serial No. 223,854.

'atented Aug. 22, 1905.

only at those points where the wedging pres,A

sure is to be applied.

The frame 20 is provided with short Wedgesections 23u and overhang a line of contact pins or bolts. head and is screwed directly into the door perpendicular to the face of the wedge 23L and locked by a nut-lock 26. v

The door,.Fig. l, is provided with a central longitudinally-operated rack 27, as is custom-l At one end of the door, at the top in the case of a verti-V ary in some of these structures.

cally-sliding door, there is bolted across the frame a bridge 28, provided along its lower edge with lugs 29, similar to those on the frame and through which bolts 25 pass to engage that portion of the wedge 23 across the top of the door, the door being longitudinally movable in the frame and behind the bridge.

On the bridge is a bearing 30, in which is mounted a shaft 3l, carrying a pinion 32, that projects behind the bridge and engages the rack 27. This shaft is provided with an enlarged portion 33, having a feather 34 on it.

On the enlarged portion is mounted a wormwheel 35, provided with an arcuate recess 36 in its hub, in which the feather is free to rotate, so that the wheel can make a partial turn (here shown as quarter-revolution) without actuating the shaft 3l.

On the bridge 28 is a worm 37 on a shaft 38, mounted in bearings 39, said worm engaging the worm-wheel to rotate it. The worm-shaft 38 is connected by a clutch 40, having idle motion for a partial turn to the shaft 41 of an electric or other motor 42. One terminal 43 of the field-windings of the motor is directly connected to line by wire 44, and the other terminal 45 is connected by wire 46 to a contact-point 47, being one of a number that are simultaneously connected-to line by any suitable mechanism.

One of the armature-terminals 48 is connected by wire 49 to a contact 50, and the other armature-terminal 5l is connected bywire 52, series resistance 53, and wire 54 to Each bolt 25 has a spherical.

contact 55. Contact 56 is directly connected to line by wire 57. VVire 52 is also connected by a branch wire 58, resistance 59, and wire 60 to a contact 61.

S is a solenoid-switch whose solenoid 63 is connected at one end of wires 64 and 65 to one of the line-wires and at the other end through wire 66, wire 67, push-button 68, or other hand-operated contact, wire 69, lamp 70 in series, and wire 71 to the other linewire.

From wire 66 there is a branch wire 72, leading to a spring-retracted contact-arm 73, mounted on the bridge 28 or other stationary part. This arm 73 contacts with a .point 74, connected by wires 75 and 65 directly to line.

On the door is a bracket 76, carrying at its free end an adjustable screw 77, that engages the arm 73 to close circuit through 7 3 74 when the door is closed.

The core 76 of the switch S carries an arm 77, that has two conductive plates, one, 78, to connect the contacts 55 and 56, and .the other, 79, to connect the contacts 47,' 50, and 61.

In addition to the distant control appliances described above, the motor is provided with a local control-switch, as is customary in such apparatus, by which it can be operated in either 'direction from the vicinity of the door and from either side of the bulkhead.

9() represents a section through the bulkhead, and mounted therein is a cylinder of insulating material 91, carrying suitably-connected contacts and provided with a handle 92 to operate said cylinder from one side of the bulkhead and a handle 93 to operate it from the other side. On the bulkhead is a lug or stop 94, that is engaged by a stop 95 o n the cylinder 91, so vthat the cylinder will not be rotated too far by the operator.

Inline with the contacts are a suitable number of controlling-fingers a Z1 c CZ e to trail on the contacts on the cylinder to properly distribute the current.

Supposing the door to be open, the operation is as follows: The push-button and lamp are at a distant station, usually the pilothouse. The push-button is depressed to close circuit through the solenoid-switch, which is of such resistance that the lamp 70 only glows red. rlhe solenoid 63 is energized.4 The core 76 is drawn up to connect contactsr55 and 56 through plate 78 and contacts 47, 50,l and 61 through plate 79. lurrent will pass (single arrows) from the positive line-wire, wire 44,

terminal 43, field-winding of the motor, terminal 45, wire 46 to contact 47, plate 79, where the current divides, part going to the armature through contact 50, wire 49, armature-terminal 48, armature, armature-terminal 51, and wire 52, the other part going by plate 79, contact 61, wire 60, resistance 59, wire 58 to join wire 52, then through the resistance 53, wire 54, contact 55, plate 7 8, conof cylinder 91 under the fingers.

tact 56, wire 57 to the negative line-Wire,

.thereby starting the motor 42, which is serieswound. Y

The motor when started by the distant control appliances as above described operates to close the door. While so operating the slack of the clutch 40' is necessarily taken up; but the slack or idle'motion of the worm 35 on the shaft 31 may or may not be taken up. 1n either case when the door is arrested by contact between wedges and studs the motor is still revolving rapidly. When all slack has been taken up, the inertia of the motor and other moving parts will be suddenly applied to the pinion 32 and rack 27 to jog the door to its {inal position.

As the door receives the jog the adjustable screw 77 in bracket 76 on top of the door forces down arm 73 against its spring and closes circuitthrough contact 74 and wires '75 and 65to line, short-circuiting the solenoid- .switch S to throw the full current through the lamp 70 and cause it to glow full, thereby indicating at the distant station that the door is closed. The solenoid-switch S being shortcireuited has not suiiicient pull to keep its core up. This drops, and thus breaks all the contacts and cuts the motor out of circuit.

The solenoid-switch described above is not novel, and other known electrical contrivances may be used to start the motor from a distance. i

The door being closed, as above described, and the slack all taken up, it may be opened by hand or by the motor, the latter beingy started by the local control-switch.

When lthe door has been closed as above described, it is jammed tight on its seat, and

ever, is connected to the mechanism through the clutch 40, which allows it to turn freely through a fraction of a revolution. The inertia thus accumulated by the motor is suflicient to overcome the initial friction of the mechanism, which operates freely for a number of revolutions of the motor until the lost motion 'between the shaft 31 and worm-wheel 35 is taken up, whereupon the inertia of the moving motor and mechanism is suddenly ap* plied, through the pinion 32 and rack 27, to jog the door from its seat against its initial friction. The motor therefore imparts a double knock. The door once jumped from its seat, the motor continues to raise it at a uniform speed until it comes to any desired point.

Supposing the door to be closed and it is desired to open it 'by means of the local controlswitch at the door, handle 92 or 93 is turned to bring the contacts shown on the upper part Current will then pass from line (half-arrows) by wire 44, terminal 43, field-windings, terminal 45, wires 46 and 96, vfinger e to contact 97 on cylinder 91, which is electrically connected to contact 98, thence by linger CZ, wire 99, resistance 53, wire 52, terminal 51, armature, terminal 48, wires 49 and 100 t'o linger and contact 101, which is electrically connected to contact 102, thence by finger a and Wire 103 to line, thereby reversing' the direction of the current through the armature and reversing the direction of rotation of the motor to open the door.

By continuing the movement of the handle after the door has been opened the lingers will leave the upper line of contacts and cir cuit will be broken, while avfurther movement will rotate the cylinder 91 to bring the lower line of contacts under the lingers to close the door ag'ain, current passing from line through wire 44, (double arrows) terminal 43, fields, terminal 45, wires 46 and 96 to linger e, contact 104 on the cylinder 91, that is electrically connected to contact 105, which is broad enough to contact with both lingers and c. From linger b current passes to wires 100 and 49 to terminal 48, armature, terminal 51, wire 52, resistance 53, `Wire 99, linger d, contact 106, that is electrically connected to contact 107, linger c, wire 103 to line shunt. Current passes through finger c, wire 108` resistance 59, wire 58, resistance 53, wire 99,

and back to line.l as above described.

I use in place of the double-knock mechanism4that is, the clutch 40 and the loose wormwheel to permit a number of idle revolutions of the motor-the device shown in Fig'. 7, which is litt-ed in the place of clutch 40 and is used with a worm-wheel keyed tight on its shaft. The end -of the motor-shaft 41 is threaded, as shown at 81. The worm-shaft 38 has keyed to its end a sleeve 82, provided with internal feather-ways 83 and an end plate 84. `On the threaded'end of the motor-shaft isa nut 84, having' feathers 85, slidable in the ways 83. The motor will make several y revolutions, causing' the nut 84u to slide in the sleeve 82 until it takes either against the end of the sleeve or against the plate 84, thereby locking shafts 38 and 41 and causing them to' turn together.

1n Fig.' 1 I have shown the Worm-wheel loose on its shaft 31 and having a quarter-turn of idle movement, the Worm 37 being liXed on shaft 38; but in Fig. 8 I have shown the worm 37 slidable on shaft 38a feather 86 engaging the worm to prevent its rotation on the shaft. By revolving the shaft 38 the worm 37 will longitudinally travel on the shaft 38 and feather 86 until stopped by jam-plates 87 at either end of its travel, said plates sur-A rounding the shaft 38 at the bearings 39. The

worm being no longer permitted to move loni gitudinally will then begin to drive the wormwheel.

posed sectors 89 of one-eighth of a circle, giv

ing a quarter-revolution of idle movement.

Should there be a small lump of coal at the bottom ofthe door, the final jog given the door will ordinarily be sufiicient to cut it; but should the door not be able to do so the lamp will not glow full, indicating to the operator at the distant station that the door has not closed. Should the lamp fail to glow red when the distant control-circuit is closed, it indicates to the operator at the distant station that the distant control appliances are inoperative.

rlhe motor shovvn in Fig. 1 is series wound; but compound or shunt-wound motors are also applicable. Whatever the type of motor it should be of such construction that the full voltage may remain on with the motor at rest for a reasonable time without damage to the motor. This is readily accomplished by the well -known device of sufiicient resistance in series with the armature to prevent abnormal current passing when the motor is stopped.

The loss of eliiciency incident to this device is not of serious importance for motor-operated doors.

Heretofore it has been difficult to adjust the double wedges customarily litted on sliding water-tight doors to insure water-tightness when the door is closed. To accomplish this result requires very careful and dilicult work.`

to operate the door and give it a jog or blow in the direction of its travel, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a fixed member or frame and a sliding member or door, of meansV to operate the door and jog it to and from its seat in the direction of travel of the door, substantially as described.

3. rThe combination with a liXed member or frame, a sliding member or door and mechanism to operate the door and give it a jog, of a motor to operate said mechanism, and means between the motor and mechanism to permit idle motion of the motor, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a liXed member or frame and a sliding member or door, of mechanism to operate the door, a motor and means to permit the motor to begin revolving before actuating said mechanism, substantially as described.

5. T he combination with a fixed member or frame and a sliding member or door, of mechanism to operate the door havingidle motion, a motor and means between the motor and mechanism to permit the motor to begin revolving before driving said mechanism, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a fixed member or frame and a sliding member or door, of an electric motor, mechanism to actuate the door and means to permit the motor to first begin revolving and then make a number of idle revolutions before driving said mechanism, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a fixed member or frame, a sliding member or door and a rack on the door, a pinion to operate the rack to move the'door, `of a worm-wheel having idle motion to drive the pinion, a wormhaving idle motion to drive the worm-wheel, an electric motor to drive the worm and a clutch between the motor and worm-wheel to permit the motor to make a partial revolution before driving the worm, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a fixed member or frame and a sliding member or door, of its operating mechanism, a motor, means between the motor and said mechanism to knock the latter loose from its jammed position, a local control to operate the door from each side of the bulkhead, means to operate the door from a distant station and means operated by the 4door to4 stop the motor, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a fixed member or frame and a sliding member or door, of a motor, and mechanism between the door and motor to operate it and including means to impart a double lrnoclnsubstantially as described.

10. The combination with a fixed member or frame and a sliding member or door, of studs on one of the members having spherical ends and a wedge on the other member, mechanism to open and close'the door and give it a jog, a motor to operate said mechanism and hand-operated means to actuate said mechanism, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a fixed member or frame, a sliding member or door and a rack on the door, of a motor and its shaft, a shaft in alinement with the motor-shaft, an idle motion between the two shafts, whereby a blow is imparted to the alined shaft, and hand-operated means connected to the alined shaft to ,rotate both shafts, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a fixed member or frame, a sliding member or door and a rack on the door, of a pinion to operate the rack to move the door, a worm-wheel having idle motion for a part of a revolution to drive the pinion and jog the door, a worm and worm-shaft to drive the worm-wheel and a motor, a clutch to connect .the motor to the worm-shaft, said clutch permitting idle motion of the motor for a part of a revolution to jog the rack-operating elements, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a door, of an electric motor, mechanism between the motor and door including means to permit idle motion of said motor and mechanism whereby a double knock is imparted by the motor, means at a distant point to operate the motor to close the door, and a local control-switch at the door to reverse current through the armature of the motor to open an'dclose the door, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a door and its operating mechanism, of amotor, means between the motor and mechanism to give the latter' a knock and means between said mechanism and door to give said door a jog or blow, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a fixed member or frame and a sliding member or door, of adjustable screw-studs on the frame and wedges on the door cooperating with said studs, a rack on the door, worm mechanism having idle motion for a partial revolution to drive the pinion and a motor to drive said worm mechanism, means to permit idle motion between the motor and worm mechanism and means operated by the door to stop the motor, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a frame, a door, and a rack on the door, of a pinion meshing with the rack, a Worm-wheel having idle motion for a partial rotation to actuate thepinion, a worm and worm-shaft to drive the wormwheel, and a clutch to connect the worm-shaft with the motor to permit a partial idle rotation of the motor, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAvm w. TAYLOR.

Witnesses;

C.. W. FowLER,

HENRY ORTH, Jr. 

